Objective: The Reach & Rise mentoring program trains adult volunteers to provide mentoring services to youth ages 6-17. We aim to help youth develop tools to improve self-esteem, decision-making skills, school performance and interpersonal relationships. We offer group mentoring and one-to-one mentoring services across the Metro Atlanta area.
Group Mentoring Time Commitment:
- 15 hours of training
- 8 weeks in Summer or 14 weeks in Spring or Fall
- 2 hours each week
- Weekly in person or phone check-in with Program Director
One-to-One Mentoring Time Commitment:
- 15 hours of training
- 12 months
- 1-2 hours each week
- Weekly in person or phone check-in with Program Director
*Additional 6-hour cross-over training required for volunteers interested in being a one-to-one mentor AND group mentor
Reports To:
- Erika Swales , Reach & Rise® One-to-One Program Director
- Mackenzie Duvall, Reach & Rise® Group Program Director
Principal Activities: Developing supportive, consistent mentoring relationship with a group of youth or individual youth through paraprofessional therapeutic techniques and group activities. Help youth explore and cope with social and/or emotional issues.
Position Requirements:
- Must be at least 21 years old when mentoring group begins
- Desire to work with youth ages 6-17
- Must receive fingerprint screening/background clearance
- Commitment to co-facilitate a mentoring group with mentees one time a week for 2 hours for 8 or 16 weeks OR commitment to meet with one mentee, one time per week for 12 months
Training and Support:
Mentors attend 15+ hours of training over the course of approximately 4-5 weeks. The training prepares volunteers for the mentoring relationship, providing information about the program, expectations, basic therapeutic concepts, relationship building, understanding risk factors, mental health issues, how to handle safety issues, and group dynamics. If accepted into the program, mentors are then matched with either a co-facilitator and up to 8 mentees OR matched with an individual mentee. Ongoing support will be provided by the Program Director(s).